Love on Halloween

I love Halloween. And it isn't just because I've always liked to play dress up or because I have a crazy sweet tooth (although those help add to the flavor of the holiday). I love Halloween because it is a special and significant day to me.

One of my most favorite Halloweens was exactly eleven years ago. It was on this Halloween night that I had my first real date with Tim. He took me to an "All Saint's" party at one of our favorite professor's house, Dr. Woods, where everyone came as a different saint. I was Joan of Arc and I even memorized a soliloquy for the occasion (to try and impress Tim). Let me clarify - this was more than just a date for me. I was a freshman going out on a date with the coolest guy on our college campus... the coolest guy I'd ever met. I was already completely smitten with Tim long before this date. How insane is it that eleven years later, HERE WE ARE!

Another extremely memorable Halloween was the one right after that. It was ten years ago that Tim again took me out on a date, all dressed up in a tux and I in a fancy black dress, to dinner and a ballet (Dracula - which was spectacular!). He met me in a garden and gave me a dozen long stemmed roses and quoted to me the song "All I Ask of You" as he got down on one knee. This fella took my breath away as he asked me to marry him. He told me to look inside the rose in the middle and there was the coolest diamond ring ever. (He designed it and had it made special for me.) When I look back on that night, I should have seen the proposal coming, but honestly it was such a surprise! What an incredible memory. What an incredible night!

We've had awesome Halloweens ever since; whether we hosted a party, visited friends, or went somewhere cool like Salem or Sleepy Hollow. Some stand out more than others, like the year we had over 50 people over at our house in TN. That was wild. Tim and I were dressed as Rhett and Scarlett and my dress was HUGE. There was no room in the house for me in my massive green dress and the other 50 guests! And one year Tim and I were Han Solo and Princess Leia - wow - he made a good looking Han! And last year, visiting Salem was amazing. Every year is different and special in it's own way. And every year I think back on why I love this holiday so much.

This year was also a very special Halloween for us. We were not able to do much as our time has been preoccupied by our new little one, but we made the most of it. This year, Tim and I had our first date AS PARENTS! How insane is that?!? My mom was up here this past week with me and baby Oscar because Tim was called away on a business trip. She offered to watch the baby last night so that Tim and I could go out to dinner, since he had just gotten back yesterday afternoon. Little did she know how special a gift she gave to us. Not only did she become Oscar's first babysitter, but she also gave us another special Halloween to remember. Thanks mom! (The pumpkin picture at the top is from the card she gave us.)

We had a wonderful night. Tim took me to a long leisurely dinner at the Melting Pot in White Plains. They had a fancy Halloween menu, complete with "Bloody Mimosas" and "Voodoo Fondue." We just enjoyed each others company and reveled in the fact that we've come so far. We reflected on Halloweens past and contemplated Halloweens future. And I only called home once to check up on Diva and Oscar! I can't wait to see what the next eleven Halloweens will bring...